For those of you old enough, do you remember where you were on October 24, 1993?
25 years ago Wednesday, I was glued to my television (with my radio turned up) as the Cleveland Browns hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers at old Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
With 2:05 to play in the fourth quarter and the Browns down 23-21, Pittsburgh's Mark Royals punted to Eric Metcalf, who had already returned one punt back for a touchdown that afternoon. Metcalf made a series of dazzling moves and danced down the sidelines for an electric 75-yard touchdown to give the Browns the victory.
Here's how Tom Hammond and Cris Collinsworth called the punt return touchdowns on NBC:
Now, watch the highlight of the game-winning touchdown with the legendary Nev Chandler on the radio call along with Doug Dieken.
For me, this was the last great moment of the Cleveland Browns before they were moved by Art Modell to Baltimore. Eight days after the win over the Steelers, beloved QB Bernie Kosar was cut by Bill Belichick in a disastrous public relations blunder. Chandler passed away after his battle with cancer the following spring. Nothing felt the same anymore. Yes, the Browns went to the playoffs in 1994, but it wasn't "Pandemonium Palace" anymore.
Were it not for Nev Chandler, I'm not sure where my life's path would have taken me. He was the reason why I decided I wanted to be a sportscaster. His kindness to me as a mentor is something I've always treasured.
The current "Voice of the Browns," Jim Donovan, shared some of his stories about his predecessor during tonight's postgame show. Even though the two were competitors in local television, there was always a tremendous respect between Jimmy and Nev. Jimmy recalls how great of a family man Chandler was.
Present Day Browns vs. Steelers
I wish the 1993-model Eric Metcalf could suit up for the Browns on Sunday when they visit Heinz Field in Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. The Browns could sure use some electricity.
I'm concerned because the Browns haven't won in Pittsburgh in 15 years. I'm concerned because there's some kind of a rift going on between Hue Jackson and Todd Haley, no matter how much Haley denies it. I'm concerned because the Browns seem on the verge of a collapse that might require a coaching change.
If the Browns play with the woe-is-us attitude that Jimmy and I talked about earlier in the week, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers will destroy them. If Baker Mayfield can get the offense rolling early and the defense forces some turnovers, the Browns can beat the Steelers and turn things around.
It's as close to a must-win as a 2-4-1 team can have.
Jimmy goes Hollywood
I've known Jim Donovan for about 15 years and have been close friends with him since I came to WKYC two years ago. We talk frequently, but it's still very cool to learn something new about him that I never knew before.
Jimmy once was an extra in a movie filmed in Cleveland. Do you remember the NBC movie Babe Ruth that came out in 1991? The old Cleveland Municipal Stadium was used for the baseball scenes and there was a call for extras to serve as players on the field and fans in the stands.
So on a hot August day, Jimmy was one of many who went to the Stadium, got fitted with the old-school wool uniforms, and went out on the field. He was supposed to be a Yankees pitcher, but his scenes apparently didn't survive the cutting room floor.
Jeff Carey, the father of my WKYC digital teammate Tyler Carey, was another who braved the heat to be a part of the film. He shared these photos with me.
The cast of the film featured Stephen Lang (Avatar, Gettysburg) as Babe Ruth and Bruce Weitz (Hill Street Blues) as Miller Huggins. Pete Rose even made an appearance as Ty Cobb.
And even though those wool uniforms were uncomfortable for the actors (and Jimmy), they were part of the wardrobe that won the Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costuming for a Miniseries or a Special. How about that?
One other Hollywood note: Jimmy told me that he, Russ Mitchell, and then-WKYC anchor Kris Pickel were filmed here at our studios by director Ivan Reitman for a scene in the 2014 film Draft Day.
However, that scene was also cut.
That's show business I guess.
Watch the Donovan Live Postgame Show in the player above